By Sam Volz: Trainer Teofimo Lopez Sr says Devin Haney is too “one-dimensional” to defeat Vasily Lomachenko on May 20th.
Lopez Sr feels that Haney, who is now drunk on the success from his recent pair of wins over Australian George Kambosos Jr, will foolishly attempt to “outbox ‘The Matrix’ Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) and pay a heavy price by losing to him.
Teofimo Sr. notes that Haney’s popularity is based on his two wins over Kambosos Jr because “he’s done nothing in the sport” other than beating this guy.
Although Haney talks a lot, saying he’s the best at 135 and #1 pound-for-pound, the reality is, he’s only beaten Kambosos Jr, and he didn’t look good in either of those fights.
Lopez Sr feels that the 24-year-old Haney isn’t ready to fight a guy with Lomachenko’s talent, and he says that if Loma is 70% of the fighter he was when Teofimo beat him in 2020, he’ll defeat Devin.
We don’t know yet whether Haney will even make the 135-lb limit, and he doesn’t know how he’ll feel if he does make the weight. He looked worse than drained in making weight for his rematch with Kambosos Jr last October.
Team Haney sees holes in Lomachenko
“The only reason they’re taking this fight is because this isn’t the same Loma we fought, first of all. We fought the best Loma,” said Teofimo Lopez Sr. to MillCity Boxing about Devin Haney choosing to fight Vasily Lomachenko.
“They probably see some holes in him [Lomachenko]. For them to make a commitment like that, but you never know. You might have bit too fast on something you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.
“I don’t want to give no pointers, but I’m going to give you this one pointer, and maybe you get it, maybe you don’t. I was the only one to solve the equation on how to beat Lomachenko.
“If Lomachenko finds those angles, 100% he’s winning this fight. I don’t see it and with that arsenal. People have tried to do what Haney is going to try to do; to try and outbox ‘The Matrix.’
“They don’t call him ‘The Matrix ‘ for no reason. He’s not the same matrix, but he’s got enough to defeat Devin Haney, and I got Lomachenko winning by a unanimous decision,” said Teofimo Sr.
Loma beats Devin if he’s at 70%
“Listen, if we get a little bit close. Let’s say seven of ten of the Lomachenko that we fought,” Lopez Sr said. “Let’s say that we fought a ton. Let’s say we get a seven or a little bit like a 6 1/2 or 7 to the Lomachenko that he was that night. He’s beating this kid [Haney].
“Why? Because to beat Lomachenko, you have to be fully dimensional. In other words, you can’t do the same s**t over and over again because he’s going to figure that out, and he’s going to get you.
“I think Lomachenko really wants this. It vindicates him back in the sport, getting all those belts. That’s all he ever wanted. So, I expect him to come as maybe a seven, not as a ten when we fought him, but you never know. Styles make fights.
“It’s a very difficult fight for Devin Haney, and the only opportunity I give Haney is if he stays away and uses that jab all night like he always does and wins by points. But listen, it’s going to be very difficult.
“This guy, they call him ‘The Matrix’ for a reason, and I don’t think Devin is ready for a fight like that right now. He got lucky with Kambosos because of my son’s health issues. It was like we just gave him the belts, and he’s based off a Kambosos win. That’s what he’s based off. He hasn’t done nothing in the sport, and everybody knew we were going to beat that boy, Kambosos.
“S**T happens. That’s what happened that night,” said Teofimo Sr about his son Teo losing to George Kambosos Jr.
